Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Plimmerton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Plimmerton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.